Courtesy of the NEC
NEC Player of the Week
Eileen Purcell
Shortstop, Junior, Nutley,NJ/Nutley
Purcell paced the offense for the Blue Devils, hitting .500 in four games to lead the Blue Devils to an undefeated opening weekend. The junior collected six hits in 12 at-bats, smashing a pair of doubles and delivering a RBI. Purcell slugged a team-best .667%, recorded a hit in all four games on the weekend, and played flawless defense at shortstop.
NEC Pitcher of the Week
Laura Messina, Central Connecticut
Pitcher, Senior, Marlton, NJ/Camden Catholic
Dominate is an understatement to describe the Messina’s performance on opening weekend for the Blue Devils. Messina displayed why she’s on the USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List, leading Central Connecticut to a perfect 4-0 record at the Elon Softball Tournament. In three starts, Messina went 3-0 with a pair of two-hit, shutout performances. The senior tossed 20.0 innings and didn’t allow a single earned run (1 unearned) while showing pinpoint accuracy, striking out 22 batters and only walking two. The Martlton, NJ product allowed a .119 batting average against on the weekend and surrendered only eight hits. Of the 72 total batters Messina faced, only two were able to advance beyond second base.
NEC Rookie of the Week
Tori Constantin, Central Connecticut
First Base, First Base, Norfolk, MA/King Philip Regional
Constantin was clutch during the opening weekend of her collegiate career, connecting on what would be two game-winning hits for CCSU. The freshman’s first collegiate hit was a three-run home run that accounted for the Blue Devils’ scoring in the season-opening 3-1 win over Hampton. Hours later, Constantin delivered another game-winning hit in CCSU’s 1-0 victory over Elon. Her eighth-inning single broke a scoreless tie and sent the Blue Devils to their second win of the day. The freshman started all four games at first base last week, going 4-for-13 with four RBI and three runs scored.
